When Jessica Fabus Cheng first stepped into an operating room as a certified surgical technologist and later as a registered nurse, she believed her purpose was to advocate for patients who could not speak for themselves. Then came a rare thyroid-cancer diagnosis, two vocal-cord surgeries, and the terrifying warning that she might never speak again. Today, Jessica is very much heard—as Mrs. DC International 2025, a former Team USA Taekwondo athlete, the host of the podcast “All the Best with Jess,” and the founder of the Turnkey Accessibility program that helps brands build truly inclusive digital experiences.Medium
“I decided then and there this is not going to break me,” she told Govindh on Paper Napkin Wisdom. “If there’s a way to get my voice back, I’m going to make that happen.” That grit, aimed through the lens of her napkin sketch—an arrow pointing from greatest challenge to highest calling—now powers every keynote, workshop, and accessibility audit she delivers. Her story is as much about regaining sound as it is about amplifying meaning. My Site 2
Rising from 20 Percent Voice to 100 Percent Impact
Three years after surgery, Jessica says she operates at “about 80 percent vocal function,” but what you hear on stage is “pure projection”—a learned discipline that forces her to slow down, speak with intention, and conserve energy for the moments that matter most. The practice mirrors her martial-arts background: relentless repetition, mental resilience, and a commitment to show up, even when every muscle (or vocal fold) aches.
“Even with all the intentionality in the world, you still have to reflect and slow down,” she shared. “Being present is challenging, but it’s the only way to turn adversity into action.”
Why Accessibility Is a Growth Strategy—Not a Checkbox
Jessica’s Accessibility in Action platform reframes inclusion as a competitive advantage. When content is accessible—captioned videos, alt-text images, screen-reader-friendly layouts—organizations don’t just expand their audience; they deepen trust and loyalty among the one billion people worldwide living with disabilities. For entrepreneurs and leaders, that’s a market imperative, not a nice-to-have.
5 Key Takeaways (with Immediate Actions)
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Turn Your Greatest Challenge into Your Highest Calling Quote: “This was a gut punch … but also a call to action.” Take Action: List the single obstacle keeping you up at night. Brainstorm three ways that very obstacle could become your differentiator or signature story—and share one of them with your team by Friday.
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Communicate with Radical Intenti
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Govindh Jayaraman (00:02):
Jessica. Welcome to paper napkin wisdom. I'm excited to have you here today.
Jessica F. (00:06):
I'm excited to be here. Thank you so much for having me.
Govindh Jayaraman (00:10):
So you have a distinction of a couple things on your paper napkin. 1st of all, it's absolutely beautiful. So if you're just listening to the podcast make sure you get online and take a look at this beautiful napkin from Jessica.
It's got a picture of a nice old school phone on it, and it's probably the 1st one that comes on a cheesecake factory napkin as well. So that's great. But the pearl of wisdom is your greatest, and there's an arrow from your to greatest challenge is your highest calling.
(00:40):
and and you've made the highest calling almost look like a superhero logo. So why did you share that with me.
Jessica F. (00:48):
I shared that with you, because about 3 years ago I sat in a doctor's office, and I was actually diagnosed with a very rare form of thyroid cancer, and my treatment plan included a couple surgeries and then some radioactive iodine treatment later on. But the big kicker there was that, he said to me, you know there is a
(01:15):
I don't want to say a high likelihood, but there was a very strong possibility that I would suffer vocal damage.
and that I may never speak again.
Govindh Jayaraman (01:25):
Wow!
Jessica F. (01:25):
Not just one surgery, but 2. So it was really after the second one. And so that really put a lot of things in perspective for me. I'll say it actually reminded me of all of the things I sort of didn't say. I mean, you just mentioned someone that had passed away suddenly. You know, when things like that happen, or you have some kind of diagnosis like this that really gets puts things into perspective. And one of the big ones for me was.
(01:54):
you know, my daughter at that time was only 18 months old, and my voice was a big source of comfort for her. I thought about reading stories I thought about, you know, learning the Abcs things that you just kind of take for granted.
And
it was really a gut punch, you know. Of course, when faced with the decision of Is it your life, or is it your your voice? Of course the the choice is clear. But there's a lot of things that come along with that.
(02:26):
And I decided then and there that this is not going to end the things that I did, I mean I relied on my voice all the time I was an instructor. I'm a surgical nurse, so I am an instructor in the field and in the classroom. So I need that voice. But I decided that if there is some way to
(02:54):
get that voice back I'm going to make that happen so to loop back around very long way of saying that what was a great challenge or the greatest challenge really became a call to action in my highest calling. I believe.
Govindh Jayaraman (03:11):
So 1st of all,
obviously we can hear your voice, and and I'm sure there was a journey behind it. But I want to go back to the beginning, because I think that happens a lot for people when they're confronted with this.
This could never, this might never happen again, or you know, never and always are dangerous words, because.
Jessica F. (03:33):
Yeah.
Govindh Jayaraman (03:34):
Always happen the way that is, but but may never speak again.
has this sort of like very
grave end to it. And again, you're a nurse, you're in the medical community. So you understand? Maybe the risks of this, maybe more intuitively or more instructively than others. So how did that information hit you? What was the 1st reaction? And what did you do to get yourself sort of
(04:01):
back online.
Jessica F. (04:03):
Well, I worked with a vocal coach.
I decided to do that. It was about a year post the second surgery initially right out of the gate, you know my voice would tire within 30 seconds like.
Govindh Jayaraman (04:17):
What does that mean by tire? So people understand that.
Jessica F. (04:20):
So it would feel like I had been speaking for 8 h straight
and after. And you probably know this from being on a podcast too. If you're doing back to back calls, you're doing a lot of speaking. After a certain point, you start to notice that there's some vocal fray like, maybe it's just a little bit harder. You're feeling a little tired, so that would happen in a huge way in like 30 seconds. And so my voice would be here, and it would just kind of
(04:46):
go like that, and I would have to pull back and be quiet.
So you know, right now, I say, I have 80% vocal function. So that's because I have learned how to better project to use accessory muscles to use parts like your head voice and parts. These, you know, these vocal terms that I learned more in depth when I started working with the vocal coach, I'm able to access those better. So it took
(05:16):
a lot of time for me to learn how to balance the when to pull back, when not to when to project, when to limit, and it took a really long time. But the voice that you hear now this is pure projection.
Govindh Jayaraman (05:35):
Because if I.
Jessica F. (05:35):
Speaking without pushing my voice out.
My voice would sound like my voice would sound like this like lower. I mean, I'm doing that purposely, but it was. It's much lower, natural in the natural state, I guess so.
Govindh Jayaraman (05:52):
So there's an intentionality now to your speaking right, like you have to be more mindful of the fact. Okay, I've got something to say now, and I will project in a certain way. So that's a physical part of it. But was there a psychological or mental part of it that maybe
(06:13):
to your point about it being your highest calling. That made you better at speaking in some ways, because you were more thoughtful about what you said.
Jessica F. (06:22):
Absolutely. It actually reminded me. I'm also an athlete. So back in 2010 I started martial arts. I started Taekwondo, and when I joined. I
realize that I okay, if I join this I must go to Black Belt. I can't quit, you know. I don't want to be that person that 2 weeks in is like, Oh, it's too hard! I quit.
(06:46):
you know, famous last words, and those are
many other stories I have, but within 3 weeks of training.
I severely injured my knee
by doing some like. I think it was a jumping roundhouse kick like way out of my pay grade at the time, but I was just trying it.
and I had that choice then to either quit because I mean only 2 weeks in, you know, even though I said I wasn't going to do it. I had a good reason.
(07:15):
But what I ended up doing and deciding was, I'm going to focus in and hone in on the techniques. And even if I'm just using my upper body to train not or sitting in a chair.
that mindset
was really what got me to the next level, and because I was able to hone in and focus on the precision
(07:37):
ultimately. And 2 years later I started competing. And I started doing really well.
and ultimately, in 2017, I made the national team for the United States
for in 2017, for a competition.
Govindh Jayaraman (07:50):
Wow!
Jessica F. (07:51):
But it was that focus and mindset, really, because, you know, it's easy to say, well, I have an injury. Now it's I'm an adult. You know I can shelve this, for now I know maybe I'll come back to it. But that again. I used that experience really as
what drove me forward, because I knew, even when I had bad days.
(08:14):
that if I kept putting one foot in front of the next.
you know figuratively, that I would make improvements, even if they were small.
Govindh Jayaraman (08:24):
To.
I think there's a lot to unpack there.
But one of the things that I think is really interesting about it
is this, this idea of this intentional movement, right? This idea of
just take the next step forward and doing it even on a bad day. I think there are a lot of people out there
(08:47):
that sometimes they start the day, and it's not their day, and they kind of bail on the whole effort because their knee hurts. They can't find their voice, and maybe that's a metaphor. They can't find their voice, you know, physically or metaphorically, they just don't have the right words. They don't understand what they could do.
(09:08):
But I think your your point about the challenge being your highest calling and taking the step regardless is really important because people lack that tenacity. Sometimes.
Did you always have that, or did that come from these opportunities? Did it grow.
Jessica F. (09:27):
I think a mix of both.
Yeah, I think because I think we're born with certain innate qualities, some better than others. But when you are in those situations you learn about your ability and same thing, for you know, being an or nurse as well, because I didn't know if I would have the mental strength to be in an environment like that and be able to be calm.
(09:54):
It wasn't until I was in that position that I learned that, but I knew that I had focus. I knew I had drive. I knew I had determination and perseverance, and it's
great, because even something like the martial arts being in the medical field. I mean, it's not just, you know. You wake up one day and you're a doctor. You wake up one day, and you're a black belt. No, you go through 14 belts and multiple years. You go through training over and over and over again, and that does create a level of discipline that you
(10:26):
will aid you as you go along. But it really is. Truly.
You need to put yourself out there sometimes to
try and quote, unquote, fail to see what works and what doesn't.
Govindh Jayaraman (10:40):
I think it's really fascinating.
the idea of giving it a shot is is again, is part of this progress. It feels like you're okay.
taking that step, not necessarily knowing what great looked like on the 1st one. And and you say that that came from, you know partially it grew over time, and I think that's fair.
(11:05):
But
talk about the 1st time, you know again you heard this. You may never speak again. You came out of the surgery. Obviously, vocal code is very weak.
What was that moment of resilience for you like, what? When did you just decide I was gonna do this was this for your daughter, for yourself?
(11:25):
What did that look like? What was the vision you had in your mind?
Jessica F. (11:28):
Well, it reminded me of
I mean myself in moments where I didn't speak up about something, or I had an idea.
and I didn't do it. Yes, I've done multiple things where I put myself in the forefront.
But there are other times, too, where doubt I let it consume me. I pulled back.
(11:50):
and in fact, growing up, you know, God bless my mom, single mom.
But I can distinctly remember there was this one time that we went to a grocery store. I think we were like shortchanged or something a couple bucks, I mean nothing serious. No one did it on purpose.
and she walked herself back from going back to the store to just say, Hey, I think we, you know here's our receipt. I mean, you had proof.
(12:17):
I watched her systematically over like 30 min. Find excuses. Why, she wouldn't do it.
Govindh Jayaraman (12:25):
And I mean she's an amazing woman, you know, but as a child to.
Jessica F. (12:30):
See that modeled.
And then inside, I knew that I was very like I am an action taker. I knew that from a young age it was hard to see, and so I thought about that too.
But now here I am, with the possibility that my voice is going to be radically changed, or I won't be able to speak in the way I did before, or not at all. I mean, who knows what tomorrow brings right?
(12:54):
So it brought all those things back in for me.
and, you know, just made me realize I needed to.
you know, maybe start to say those things and speak up, and that's why I say highest calling. Because, yes, you know, calling, it's not finite done thing. This is a you know. I'm talking about my voice going downwards. It's about turning up the volume going upwards, even if it's just one little bar at a time
(13:22):
that makes sense.
Govindh Jayaraman (13:23):
Really, yeah, it makes a lot of sense. And I like how you went back to the all the things you didn't say and it and you
and you reminded yourself of the doubt that consumed you.
And I'm going back to your napkin. You know you Drew. You've drawn a picture of a phone, old school phone. And
and I also
(13:44):
all the things you didn't say. And and putting the phone, there is all the conversations with important people that you didn't have.
You talked about your daughter. You just talked about your mother, and I think
that must have played a very big role in you wanting to bring your voice back right because you wanted
to have those conversations you wanted to
(14:05):
connect with those people. You wanted to share moments with those people right.
Jessica F. (14:11):
Yes, and I wanted, you know, as we move forward because we can only go forward.
My daughter is now 5 years old.
I am the role model for her. I am in the same position that my mom once was, and it's not about perfection, you know, because we're all human. But I want to model for her what it's like to stand up or to speak up, even if it's a small thing, it doesn't have to be. This giant
(14:39):
huge thing all the time. But when those giant, huge things come that she has, you know what I have the skill to do that because sometimes I think it boils down to it, being a skill as well, because anything you practice like, you know the muscle, it gets stronger.
The same idea applies. So whether that applies to saying something I needed to say or just
(15:02):
making good on. You know, a vision I had, or an idea. I want her to see that her mommy is doing that.
and then, of course, it will be a little bit different for her. She'll have her own journey, but then she can have that confidence that it's okay for me
to speak up. Even if people disagree with what I say.
Govindh Jayaraman (15:21):
That's amazing.
That's amazing. And and she's 5. Right? So obviously, some of this is not part of our
conscious self. But it's got to make.
It's got to get across to her in some way. This determination, this idea of moving one step in front of each other, regardless of the challenges.
(15:46):
I've got this image of you sitting in a chair practicing Taekwondo moves like that. Resilience can get modeled for other people, and you're doing that for your daughter. You're doing this for the people around you, I think. And that's also part of this idea of the phone, this calling. You know you can inspire others with what you are
walking through.
Jessica F. (16:07):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (16:09):
Let me ask you.
would this have all been worth it? I mean, your your voice is 80% right? Which means that probably you have to rest. Probably you have to tend for your vocal cords. You probably have a self-care routine around it.
having gotten to 80%. Would it was the effort worthwhile.
(16:31):
Do you feel like, I mean, I think at 1 point people have this idea that I'm gonna I'm going to be better than ever, or I'm going to be back to.
Jessica F. (16:37):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (16:37):
Whatever you didn't quite get there. Was it still worth it?
Jessica F. (16:42):
Yes, absolutely, because, as you were mentioning before, I mean because of that training, it actually made my voice better, really more intentional.
Govindh Jayaraman (16:53):
With what.
Jessica F. (16:53):
I speak now. It's not, you know. Just oh, yeah, I could tell that person tomorrow. No, if it, there's something that I want to say
it's that, if not now, if not now, then, when mentality, you know like, why wait?
Why wait.
Govindh Jayaraman (17:13):
Yeah. And and do you so I think when people say, if now, if not now, then, whenever then, when. But I think also a lot of people confuse that with being harsh and brutal in in their candor, and I don't think I think, that you are more you come across as being more grateful that you have this voice.
(17:35):
So your calling is to connect your calling is to be with people, and and that candor doesn't have to be harsh, right? It can be loving, but still be honest.
Jessica F. (17:48):
Yeah, absolutely. I agree, a hundred percent with that.
Govindh Jayaraman (17:51):
Yeah. So so tell me about how it's changed your instruction within your work as a as an or nurse, I mean, that's a very vocal position. My! My brother's a surgeon, so I have a little bit of a view into that world. It's not a quiet room.
Jessica F. (18:08):
No, it is not. And you're also wearing a mask. So you kind of have to yell, and there's beeping things, and a lot of.
Govindh Jayaraman (18:16):
Urgency.
Jessica F. (18:17):
Going on. Yeah, yeah. I mean, if sometimes there is yelling, you know, you just you have to be really focused in that
in that moment.
But I I don't know. I just
everything about what I do now is just intentional, and it's
(18:37):
I mean again, it's not perfection. It's more about the intentionality of doing things. And yeah, there are moments where you need to.
If you need to get your point across strongly, especially in the or you do have to sort of be very blatant, cut and dry.
but the idea that you know you can still
(18:58):
go out there and connect without having to be the loudest voice
in the room. Like my, my big thing, too, is, you know, you don't have to have a perfect voice
to make a powerful impact.
Govindh Jayaraman (19:12):
Yeah.
Jessica F. (19:13):
And I think a lot of times
success and forward movement, I don't want to say, necessarily gets confused with perfection, but it's like there's these certain parameters that must be met for me to feel like I've progressed
when it might just be a little tiny thing that you did.
(19:33):
that actually moves you forward, and it's almost imperceptible at times.
Govindh Jayaraman (19:37):
So what? What does intentionality look like to you
now like? Give me give me a sense of if you were, if you were to talk about your preparation before
a podcast before anything else. What? What does that look like?
Jessica F. (19:56):
Well, I'm looking at what my day looks like, you know. So schedule is big. Just so I know, okay, if I have a podcast here. And then I have, like a speaking engagement or something later in the day there has to be a gap
sometimes that isn't always possible. So having the ability for me to continue training. My voice is also part of my preparation, even if I don't know when I may have to utilize that. So that's kind of you know. Again, where that discipline comes into play.
(20:29):
I would say, my preparation is also mental.
you know, because if I know that I have.
you know, X amount of time, you know, to speak. I mean, I'm really grateful actually, that you mentioned how long the conversation may be. I mean I could, you know, looked at the zoom thing, too. But that's great. That's good for me to know, to have that information
(20:51):
upfront. And one of the big things for me, too, that
you know I need to mention is that I have. This has deepened the passion that I have
for creating a more accessible world for people of all abilities.
because when the doctor told me, you know.
(21:12):
you may not speak again, and knowing if you have a family member who is a surgeon, you know, from the medical field. I appreciate the reality check. I appreciate the candor. They were trying to do the right thing. It wasn't like. You will never speak again, you know. It wasn't like a villain or something. It was just, hey, this. This could be your reality.
(21:32):
However, it didn't take into account that there are multiple ways to communicate.
even if my voice was softer. There's Asl, you know, that was on the table. Am I going to be communicating in Asl? I don't have a problem with that, but that's another mode of communication.
and I just felt like it was very final, like the way it was said. So I think there's more to uncover
(21:58):
with those type of things.
Govindh Jayaraman (22:00):
I think that's really interesting. Right? I think we we do a lot when we're looking at risk.
Right? And that's what was you're speaking of. You're speaking back to the moment where the surgeon is talking to you about your surgery, your second surgery especially, and saying to you, These are the risks of surgery. And I think when we're assessing risk.
sometimes we look at the the
(22:23):
the doors that could be closed as opposed to the other ways to navigate that same opportunity.
For example, you may never speak again.
but you will still have opportunities to communicate like this. This and this.
Jessica F. (22:39):
Yeah.
Govindh Jayaraman (22:40):
Right giving giving you. You may never speak, but you'll not never communicate. I mean, that's right, right
things right and and I think that goes back to this idea that
you don't need to have a perfect voice.
To communicate.
And and that's a part of this message that I think is overarching in what you're talking about.
(23:06):
So there's a certain amount of personal grace that you have to give yourself along. The way that you had to learn is, was that harder to implement? Or was that easier to do
along the way I mean you you talked about.
The doubt
can sometimes be a barrier to giving yourself Grace. So was that hard for you to learn to be gentle with yourself. As you learned this.
Jessica F. (23:28):
Yes, because I have that. The framework from the past.
Govindh Jayaraman (23:33):
Well, I used to sound like this. I could make this sound.
Jessica F. (23:36):
In fact, I remember. So my family. We are raising a guide dog puppy right now with the Guide Dog Foundation that's here in New York, and every twice a month we go out like home Depot. You know, one of these places where they're learning to avoid distractions. And it's really it's an awesome program.
But I remember I was in an aisle, and they were like, you know, to get the dog's attention. You just just make a really high pitched sound like this, and they demonstrated it, and I went to try it.
(24:06):
I couldn't do it, I didn't even know, and this is only like a couple months ago.
So I'm still learning the limitations that I have.
And it was almost, I almost wanted to go into that place of embarrassment like, you know, like, why wouldn't like they were just kind of looking at me like, why can't you do this? Even though this is a guide dog for someone with a visual impairment. It's okay. But it was that knee jerk like, oh, this isn't right. This isn't okay.
(24:33):
The doubt comes in.
You know I could have explained myself, but you know I just kind of tried to do it, and I probably would have
use that as a teachable moment, you know, speaking about like teaching and stuff. But
yeah, I mean, I had to give myself grace in that unexpected moment, and that that's big, too, when you can plan to have grace for yourself, like, okay, I'm going to go on stage for an hour like, Yeah, there might be a few moments. I need to drink some water, but that was just.
(25:02):
you know. Hey, make this sound. Everyone makes to call a dog. And I you know I just was very difficult.
So.
Govindh Jayaraman (25:11):
There's that so so unexpected moment, where you can't do what you.
What you expect to be able to do.
Jessica F. (25:20):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (25:21):
And or meet some expectation. I think there's a projection part of that. But there's another reality part of it. So so
how how quickly. Did you catch yourself? And did you? Did?
You know I love that? You're turning this into a renal learning moment because you did talk about
you've got this passion for championing accessibility.
(25:43):
And and you're sharing that story here. However, let's talk about the process of how you caught yourself and gave Grace to yourself.
You know. How long did that take? Is there something that you tell yourself in that moment?
Because it doesn't sound? You say you can't do that because of a limiting belief or a limiting thing. I think you say you sort of it feels like you just sort of accepted that saying.
Jessica F. (26:07):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (26:07):
Found some humor in that. Did I catch that incorrectly.
Jessica F. (26:11):
No, that's that's correct, and I think the humor part is required. It's necessary, you know. I mean, maybe it's not as funny in the moment, but then, later on, it sort of becomes funny. And you just it's just part of you. You learn to accept yourself more and more even with that small little example.
Govindh Jayaraman (26:35):
So let let's
I love the self-acceptance part of it. I love the way that you're talking about all of this, and and I think it's really important for people to understand that that
you've evolved into a
different way of doing things. Funny thing for me, though, as I'm thinking this through as a
(26:56):
father of 3 teenagers. Sometimes things get a little bit louder.
Jessica F. (27:00):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (27:01):
And and I wonder, have you, is that something that you have to adjust around now, too, that you can't project as loudly as you used to.
Jessica F. (27:10):
Yeah, it is. So that's an opportunity for me to deepen my relationship with my daughter and use those moments where I could explain something to her like. If she is having a meltdown or something.
I'm less likely to try to take control. I mean, that sounds bad, but like I'm in control. But I'm not trying to micromanage. How she's her reaction is to.
Govindh Jayaraman (27:38):
Nothing.
Jessica F. (27:39):
Because I know eventually she'll calm down, and we'll have that talk.
Govindh Jayaraman (27:44):
Yeah.
Jessica F. (27:45):
Actually, I got a great piece of advice from when I was training to be in the operating room, and someone
a surgical tech, he said to me.
in 3 h this will be over.
and it it sounds kind of like simple, but it's like this chaos that's going on.
We'll stop, it will stop, and
(28:08):
then there'll be a quiet period, or there'll be a time where it's over, you know, whatever. And then that's when
I would say, maybe more effective communication can happen.
Govindh Jayaraman (28:19):
That's really interesting.
because all things are going to be over. And that's also a reminder. Going back to the second thing you said around. You're reminded of all the things you didn't say. So this moment will be over.
Jessica F. (28:32):
Sure.
Govindh Jayaraman (28:32):
Make sure that you're in the moment, so it probably makes you more present in the moment. More often would that be fair to say.
Jessica F. (28:41):
Absolutely, and that's that is challenging.
But even with all the intentionality in the world, I mean, you still have to reflect and slow down and do these, you know.
self growth opportunities that you have, because we don't always want to do it, you know. But like.
Govindh Jayaraman (28:57):
Yeah.
Jessica F. (28:58):
But for me it's been more. It's been more of a requirement to be able to even sit here today and speak as long as I am. That's a result from the past.
Govindh Jayaraman (29:10):
Yeah.
Jessica F. (29:11):
So.
Govindh Jayaraman (29:12):
So. So how? How will you recharge after our time together?
Jessica F. (29:18):
I it's gonna be some quiet time.
you know. Probably some tea, I mean, I'm a huge coffee drinker. So I love iced coffee especially, but even that, you know, like I'm going to get in the car. You know, I could go to Starbucks. That's a quiet time.
And if the phone rings. Usually I'll let it go. And then I could or I could text another mode of communication. It's just being more aware of my needs. And coming from the medical field, too, like even as a nurse like we don't eat a lot of people in the field. They, you know, they're so focused. They don't do the basic care necessities. So that's helped me, too, to realize that as well that I need to schedule that in or just
(30:04):
intentionally. Take that time for me.
Govindh Jayaraman (30:07):
Yeah. And I think I think that, for if you're a leader listening to this.
you may not have a challenge with your voice, but we all have energy buckets, and as they become depleted we have to be mindful of oscillating our energy back and forth, and giving us that time, so that when we are meeting our challenge
(30:27):
we could do it with our highest and best self, and meet that challenge and make it our highest calling, as you've done.
At this point of the show we always shout out, our great friend, John Rulan. John Ruland, was a guest several years ago, actually, 11 years ago, so more than several years ago, and he was a great supporter of our community. He shared with us a napkin. What you appreciate appreciates. And it's a wonderful message that when you give gratitude and appreciation out to the world the people to whom you
(31:05):
you share that gratitude with also appreciate and value for themselves, for the community and for the relationship.
So we he suddenly passed, unfortunately, about coming up on 8 months ago, and we are asking all of our guests to shout out someone that they appreciate. Who would you like to shout out today?
Jessica F. (31:28):
I'll shout out my dad.
He also he actually passed away last month, and that's okay. He was a musician.
and he taught me from a very young age the importance of a quality microphone.
So I appreciate your mic. But I wanted to shout him out because he followed his dreams
(31:56):
he didn't let anything stop him. He left home at 17 to go on the road as a band member, and you know he didn't know what the next step was going to be. He just knew that with enough focus and dedication and drive, that something was going to happen.
And so I go by that same motto, you know, like I don't. I may not have everything
(32:17):
in front of me, but if you just go for what you want, listening to your heart and ensuring that you're not overworking, you can go far.
So I'm just shouting him out because he was. Had that warrior spirit.
Govindh Jayaraman (32:34):
Yeah, I can see that in you.
Jessica F. (32:36):
Thanks for joining me, Josh.
Thank you.
Jessica. Welcome to paper napkin wisdom. I'm excited to have you here today.
Jessica F. (00:06):
I'm excited to be here. Thank you so much for having me.
Govindh Jayaraman (00:10):
So you have a distinction of a couple things on your paper napkin. 1st of all, it's absolutely beautiful. So if you're just listening to the podcast make sure you get online and take a look at this beautiful napkin from Jessica.
It's got a picture of a nice old school phone on it, and it's probably the 1st one that comes on a cheesecake factory napkin as well. So that's great. But the pearl of wisdom is your greatest, and there's an arrow from your to greatest challenge is your highest calling.
(00:40):
and and you've made the highest calling almost look like a superhero logo. So why did you share that with me.
Jessica F. (00:48):
I shared that with you, because about 3 years ago I sat in a doctor's office, and I was actually diagnosed with a very rare form of thyroid cancer, and my treatment plan included a couple surgeries and then some radioactive iodine treatment later on. But the big kicker there was that, he said to me, you know there is a
(01:15):
I don't want to say a high likelihood, but there was a very strong possibility that I would suffer vocal damage.
and that I may never speak again.
Govindh Jayaraman (01:25):
Wow!
Jessica F. (01:25):
Not just one surgery, but 2. So it was really after the second one. And so that really put a lot of things in perspective for me. I'll say it actually reminded me of all of the things I sort of didn't say. I mean, you just mentioned someone that had passed away suddenly. You know, when things like that happen, or you have some kind of diagnosis like this that really gets puts things into perspective. And one of the big ones for me was.
(01:54):
you know, my daughter at that time was only 18 months old, and my voice was a big source of comfort for her. I thought about reading stories I thought about, you know, learning the Abcs things that you just kind of take for granted.
And
it was really a gut punch, you know. Of course, when faced with the decision of Is it your life, or is it your your voice? Of course the the choice is clear. But there's a lot of things that come along with that.
(02:26):
And I decided then and there that this is not going to end the things that I did, I mean I relied on my voice all the time I was an instructor. I'm a surgical nurse, so I am an instructor in the field and in the classroom. So I need that voice. But I decided that if there is some way to
(02:54):
get that voice back I'm going to make that happen so to loop back around very long way of saying that what was a great challenge or the greatest challenge really became a call to action in my highest calling. I believe.
Govindh Jayaraman (03:11):
So 1st of all,
obviously we can hear your voice, and and I'm sure there was a journey behind it. But I want to go back to the beginning, because I think that happens a lot for people when they're confronted with this.
This could never, this might never happen again, or you know, never and always are dangerous words, because.
Jessica F. (03:33):
Yeah.
Govindh Jayaraman (03:34):
Always happen the way that is, but but may never speak again.
has this sort of like very
grave end to it. And again, you're a nurse, you're in the medical community. So you understand? Maybe the risks of this, maybe more intuitively or more instructively than others. So how did that information hit you? What was the 1st reaction? And what did you do to get yourself sort of
(04:01):
back online.
Jessica F. (04:03):
Well, I worked with a vocal coach.
I decided to do that. It was about a year post the second surgery initially right out of the gate, you know my voice would tire within 30 seconds like.
Govindh Jayaraman (04:17):
What does that mean by tire? So people understand that.
Jessica F. (04:20):
So it would feel like I had been speaking for 8 h straight
and after. And you probably know this from being on a podcast too. If you're doing back to back calls, you're doing a lot of speaking. After a certain point, you start to notice that there's some vocal fray like, maybe it's just a little bit harder. You're feeling a little tired, so that would happen in a huge way in like 30 seconds. And so my voice would be here, and it would just kind of
(04:46):
go like that, and I would have to pull back and be quiet.
So you know, right now, I say, I have 80% vocal function. So that's because I have learned how to better project to use accessory muscles to use parts like your head voice and parts. These, you know, these vocal terms that I learned more in depth when I started working with the vocal coach, I'm able to access those better. So it took
(05:16):
a lot of time for me to learn how to balance the when to pull back, when not to when to project, when to limit, and it took a really long time. But the voice that you hear now this is pure projection.
Govindh Jayaraman (05:35):
Because if I.
Jessica F. (05:35):
Speaking without pushing my voice out.
My voice would sound like my voice would sound like this like lower. I mean, I'm doing that purposely, but it was. It's much lower, natural in the natural state, I guess so.
Govindh Jayaraman (05:52):
So there's an intentionality now to your speaking right, like you have to be more mindful of the fact. Okay, I've got something to say now, and I will project in a certain way. So that's a physical part of it. But was there a psychological or mental part of it that maybe
(06:13):
to your point about it being your highest calling. That made you better at speaking in some ways, because you were more thoughtful about what you said.
Jessica F. (06:22):
Absolutely. It actually reminded me. I'm also an athlete. So back in 2010 I started martial arts. I started Taekwondo, and when I joined. I
realize that I okay, if I join this I must go to Black Belt. I can't quit, you know. I don't want to be that person that 2 weeks in is like, Oh, it's too hard! I quit.
(06:46):
you know, famous last words, and those are
many other stories I have, but within 3 weeks of training.
I severely injured my knee
by doing some like. I think it was a jumping roundhouse kick like way out of my pay grade at the time, but I was just trying it.
and I had that choice then to either quit because I mean only 2 weeks in, you know, even though I said I wasn't going to do it. I had a good reason.
(07:15):
But what I ended up doing and deciding was, I'm going to focus in and hone in on the techniques. And even if I'm just using my upper body to train not or sitting in a chair.
that mindset
was really what got me to the next level, and because I was able to hone in and focus on the precision
(07:37):
ultimately. And 2 years later I started competing. And I started doing really well.
and ultimately, in 2017, I made the national team for the United States
for in 2017, for a competition.
Govindh Jayaraman (07:50):
Wow!
Jessica F. (07:51):
But it was that focus and mindset, really, because, you know, it's easy to say, well, I have an injury. Now it's I'm an adult. You know I can shelve this, for now I know maybe I'll come back to it. But that again. I used that experience really as
what drove me forward, because I knew, even when I had bad days.
(08:14):
that if I kept putting one foot in front of the next.
you know figuratively, that I would make improvements, even if they were small.
Govindh Jayaraman (08:24):
To.
I think there's a lot to unpack there.
But one of the things that I think is really interesting about it
is this, this idea of this intentional movement, right? This idea of
just take the next step forward and doing it even on a bad day. I think there are a lot of people out there
(08:47):
that sometimes they start the day, and it's not their day, and they kind of bail on the whole effort because their knee hurts. They can't find their voice, and maybe that's a metaphor. They can't find their voice, you know, physically or metaphorically, they just don't have the right words. They don't understand what they could do.
(09:08):
But I think your your point about the challenge being your highest calling and taking the step regardless is really important because people lack that tenacity. Sometimes.
Did you always have that, or did that come from these opportunities? Did it grow.
Jessica F. (09:27):
I think a mix of both.
Yeah, I think because I think we're born with certain innate qualities, some better than others. But when you are in those situations you learn about your ability and same thing, for you know, being an or nurse as well, because I didn't know if I would have the mental strength to be in an environment like that and be able to be calm.
(09:54):
It wasn't until I was in that position that I learned that, but I knew that I had focus. I knew I had drive. I knew I had determination and perseverance, and it's
great, because even something like the martial arts being in the medical field. I mean, it's not just, you know. You wake up one day and you're a doctor. You wake up one day, and you're a black belt. No, you go through 14 belts and multiple years. You go through training over and over and over again, and that does create a level of discipline that you
(10:26):
will aid you as you go along. But it really is. Truly.
You need to put yourself out there sometimes to
try and quote, unquote, fail to see what works and what doesn't.
Govindh Jayaraman (10:40):
I think it's really fascinating.
the idea of giving it a shot is is again, is part of this progress. It feels like you're okay.
taking that step, not necessarily knowing what great looked like on the 1st one. And and you say that that came from, you know partially it grew over time, and I think that's fair.
(11:05):
But
talk about the 1st time, you know again you heard this. You may never speak again. You came out of the surgery. Obviously, vocal code is very weak.
What was that moment of resilience for you like, what? When did you just decide I was gonna do this was this for your daughter, for yourself?
(11:25):
What did that look like? What was the vision you had in your mind?
Jessica F. (11:28):
Well, it reminded me of
I mean myself in moments where I didn't speak up about something, or I had an idea.
and I didn't do it. Yes, I've done multiple things where I put myself in the forefront.
But there are other times, too, where doubt I let it consume me. I pulled back.
(11:50):
and in fact, growing up, you know, God bless my mom, single mom.
But I can distinctly remember there was this one time that we went to a grocery store. I think we were like shortchanged or something a couple bucks, I mean nothing serious. No one did it on purpose.
and she walked herself back from going back to the store to just say, Hey, I think we, you know here's our receipt. I mean, you had proof.
(12:17):
I watched her systematically over like 30 min. Find excuses. Why, she wouldn't do it.
Govindh Jayaraman (12:25):
And I mean she's an amazing woman, you know, but as a child to.
Jessica F. (12:30):
See that modeled.
And then inside, I knew that I was very like I am an action taker. I knew that from a young age it was hard to see, and so I thought about that too.
But now here I am, with the possibility that my voice is going to be radically changed, or I won't be able to speak in the way I did before, or not at all. I mean, who knows what tomorrow brings right?
(12:54):
So it brought all those things back in for me.
and, you know, just made me realize I needed to.
you know, maybe start to say those things and speak up, and that's why I say highest calling. Because, yes, you know, calling, it's not finite done thing. This is a you know. I'm talking about my voice going downwards. It's about turning up the volume going upwards, even if it's just one little bar at a time
(13:22):
that makes sense.
Govindh Jayaraman (13:23):
Really, yeah, it makes a lot of sense. And I like how you went back to the all the things you didn't say and it and you
and you reminded yourself of the doubt that consumed you.
And I'm going back to your napkin. You know you Drew. You've drawn a picture of a phone, old school phone. And
and I also
(13:44):
all the things you didn't say. And and putting the phone, there is all the conversations with important people that you didn't have.
You talked about your daughter. You just talked about your mother, and I think
that must have played a very big role in you wanting to bring your voice back right because you wanted
to have those conversations you wanted to
(14:05):
connect with those people. You wanted to share moments with those people right.
Jessica F. (14:11):
Yes, and I wanted, you know, as we move forward because we can only go forward.
My daughter is now 5 years old.
I am the role model for her. I am in the same position that my mom once was, and it's not about perfection, you know, because we're all human. But I want to model for her what it's like to stand up or to speak up, even if it's a small thing, it doesn't have to be. This giant
(14:39):
huge thing all the time. But when those giant, huge things come that she has, you know what I have the skill to do that because sometimes I think it boils down to it, being a skill as well, because anything you practice like, you know the muscle, it gets stronger.
The same idea applies. So whether that applies to saying something I needed to say or just
(15:02):
making good on. You know, a vision I had, or an idea. I want her to see that her mommy is doing that.
and then, of course, it will be a little bit different for her. She'll have her own journey, but then she can have that confidence that it's okay for me
to speak up. Even if people disagree with what I say.
Govindh Jayaraman (15:21):
That's amazing.
That's amazing. And and she's 5. Right? So obviously, some of this is not part of our
conscious self. But it's got to make.
It's got to get across to her in some way. This determination, this idea of moving one step in front of each other, regardless of the challenges.
(15:46):
I've got this image of you sitting in a chair practicing Taekwondo moves like that. Resilience can get modeled for other people, and you're doing that for your daughter. You're doing this for the people around you, I think. And that's also part of this idea of the phone, this calling. You know you can inspire others with what you are
walking through.
Jessica F. (16:07):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (16:09):
Let me ask you.
would this have all been worth it? I mean, your your voice is 80% right? Which means that probably you have to rest. Probably you have to tend for your vocal cords. You probably have a self-care routine around it.
having gotten to 80%. Would it was the effort worthwhile.
(16:31):
Do you feel like, I mean, I think at 1 point people have this idea that I'm gonna I'm going to be better than ever, or I'm going to be back to.
Jessica F. (16:37):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (16:37):
Whatever you didn't quite get there. Was it still worth it?
Jessica F. (16:42):
Yes, absolutely, because, as you were mentioning before, I mean because of that training, it actually made my voice better, really more intentional.
Govindh Jayaraman (16:53):
With what.
Jessica F. (16:53):
I speak now. It's not, you know. Just oh, yeah, I could tell that person tomorrow. No, if it, there's something that I want to say
it's that, if not now, if not now, then, when mentality, you know like, why wait?
Why wait.
Govindh Jayaraman (17:13):
Yeah. And and do you so I think when people say, if now, if not now, then, whenever then, when. But I think also a lot of people confuse that with being harsh and brutal in in their candor, and I don't think I think, that you are more you come across as being more grateful that you have this voice.
(17:35):
So your calling is to connect your calling is to be with people, and and that candor doesn't have to be harsh, right? It can be loving, but still be honest.
Jessica F. (17:48):
Yeah, absolutely. I agree, a hundred percent with that.
Govindh Jayaraman (17:51):
Yeah. So so tell me about how it's changed your instruction within your work as a as an or nurse, I mean, that's a very vocal position. My! My brother's a surgeon, so I have a little bit of a view into that world. It's not a quiet room.
Jessica F. (18:08):
No, it is not. And you're also wearing a mask. So you kind of have to yell, and there's beeping things, and a lot of.
Govindh Jayaraman (18:16):
Urgency.
Jessica F. (18:17):
Going on. Yeah, yeah. I mean, if sometimes there is yelling, you know, you just you have to be really focused in that
in that moment.
But I I don't know. I just
everything about what I do now is just intentional, and it's
(18:37):
I mean again, it's not perfection. It's more about the intentionality of doing things. And yeah, there are moments where you need to.
If you need to get your point across strongly, especially in the or you do have to sort of be very blatant, cut and dry.
but the idea that you know you can still
(18:58):
go out there and connect without having to be the loudest voice
in the room. Like my, my big thing, too, is, you know, you don't have to have a perfect voice
to make a powerful impact.
Govindh Jayaraman (19:12):
Yeah.
Jessica F. (19:13):
And I think a lot of times
success and forward movement, I don't want to say, necessarily gets confused with perfection, but it's like there's these certain parameters that must be met for me to feel like I've progressed
when it might just be a little tiny thing that you did.
(19:33):
that actually moves you forward, and it's almost imperceptible at times.
Govindh Jayaraman (19:37):
So what? What does intentionality look like to you
now like? Give me give me a sense of if you were, if you were to talk about your preparation before
a podcast before anything else. What? What does that look like?
Jessica F. (19:56):
Well, I'm looking at what my day looks like, you know. So schedule is big. Just so I know, okay, if I have a podcast here. And then I have, like a speaking engagement or something later in the day there has to be a gap
sometimes that isn't always possible. So having the ability for me to continue training. My voice is also part of my preparation, even if I don't know when I may have to utilize that. So that's kind of you know. Again, where that discipline comes into play.
(20:29):
I would say, my preparation is also mental.
you know, because if I know that I have.
you know, X amount of time, you know, to speak. I mean, I'm really grateful actually, that you mentioned how long the conversation may be. I mean I could, you know, looked at the zoom thing, too. But that's great. That's good for me to know, to have that information
(20:51):
upfront. And one of the big things for me, too, that
you know I need to mention is that I have. This has deepened the passion that I have
for creating a more accessible world for people of all abilities.
because when the doctor told me, you know.
(21:12):
you may not speak again, and knowing if you have a family member who is a surgeon, you know, from the medical field. I appreciate the reality check. I appreciate the candor. They were trying to do the right thing. It wasn't like. You will never speak again, you know. It wasn't like a villain or something. It was just, hey, this. This could be your reality.
(21:32):
However, it didn't take into account that there are multiple ways to communicate.
even if my voice was softer. There's Asl, you know, that was on the table. Am I going to be communicating in Asl? I don't have a problem with that, but that's another mode of communication.
and I just felt like it was very final, like the way it was said. So I think there's more to uncover
(21:58):
with those type of things.
Govindh Jayaraman (22:00):
I think that's really interesting. Right? I think we we do a lot when we're looking at risk.
Right? And that's what was you're speaking of. You're speaking back to the moment where the surgeon is talking to you about your surgery, your second surgery especially, and saying to you, These are the risks of surgery. And I think when we're assessing risk.
sometimes we look at the the
(22:23):
the doors that could be closed as opposed to the other ways to navigate that same opportunity.
For example, you may never speak again.
but you will still have opportunities to communicate like this. This and this.
Jessica F. (22:39):
Yeah.
Govindh Jayaraman (22:40):
Right giving giving you. You may never speak, but you'll not never communicate. I mean, that's right, right
things right and and I think that goes back to this idea that
you don't need to have a perfect voice.
To communicate.
And and that's a part of this message that I think is overarching in what you're talking about.
(23:06):
So there's a certain amount of personal grace that you have to give yourself along. The way that you had to learn is, was that harder to implement? Or was that easier to do
along the way I mean you you talked about.
The doubt
can sometimes be a barrier to giving yourself Grace. So was that hard for you to learn to be gentle with yourself. As you learned this.
Jessica F. (23:28):
Yes, because I have that. The framework from the past.
Govindh Jayaraman (23:33):
Well, I used to sound like this. I could make this sound.
Jessica F. (23:36):
In fact, I remember. So my family. We are raising a guide dog puppy right now with the Guide Dog Foundation that's here in New York, and every twice a month we go out like home Depot. You know, one of these places where they're learning to avoid distractions. And it's really it's an awesome program.
But I remember I was in an aisle, and they were like, you know, to get the dog's attention. You just just make a really high pitched sound like this, and they demonstrated it, and I went to try it.
(24:06):
I couldn't do it, I didn't even know, and this is only like a couple months ago.
So I'm still learning the limitations that I have.
And it was almost, I almost wanted to go into that place of embarrassment like, you know, like, why wouldn't like they were just kind of looking at me like, why can't you do this? Even though this is a guide dog for someone with a visual impairment. It's okay. But it was that knee jerk like, oh, this isn't right. This isn't okay.
(24:33):
The doubt comes in.
You know I could have explained myself, but you know I just kind of tried to do it, and I probably would have
use that as a teachable moment, you know, speaking about like teaching and stuff. But
yeah, I mean, I had to give myself grace in that unexpected moment, and that that's big, too, when you can plan to have grace for yourself, like, okay, I'm going to go on stage for an hour like, Yeah, there might be a few moments. I need to drink some water, but that was just.
(25:02):
you know. Hey, make this sound. Everyone makes to call a dog. And I you know I just was very difficult.
So.
Govindh Jayaraman (25:11):
There's that so so unexpected moment, where you can't do what you.
What you expect to be able to do.
Jessica F. (25:20):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (25:21):
And or meet some expectation. I think there's a projection part of that. But there's another reality part of it. So so
how how quickly. Did you catch yourself? And did you? Did?
You know I love that? You're turning this into a renal learning moment because you did talk about
you've got this passion for championing accessibility.
(25:43):
And and you're sharing that story here. However, let's talk about the process of how you caught yourself and gave Grace to yourself.
You know. How long did that take? Is there something that you tell yourself in that moment?
Because it doesn't sound? You say you can't do that because of a limiting belief or a limiting thing. I think you say you sort of it feels like you just sort of accepted that saying.
Jessica F. (26:07):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (26:07):
Found some humor in that. Did I catch that incorrectly.
Jessica F. (26:11):
No, that's that's correct, and I think the humor part is required. It's necessary, you know. I mean, maybe it's not as funny in the moment, but then, later on, it sort of becomes funny. And you just it's just part of you. You learn to accept yourself more and more even with that small little example.
Govindh Jayaraman (26:35):
So let let's
I love the self-acceptance part of it. I love the way that you're talking about all of this, and and I think it's really important for people to understand that that
you've evolved into a
different way of doing things. Funny thing for me, though, as I'm thinking this through as a
(26:56):
father of 3 teenagers. Sometimes things get a little bit louder.
Jessica F. (27:00):
Yes.
Govindh Jayaraman (27:01):
And and I wonder, have you, is that something that you have to adjust around now, too, that you can't project as loudly as you used to.
Jessica F. (27:10):
Yeah, it is. So that's an opportunity for me to deepen my relationship with my daughter and use those moments where I could explain something to her like. If she is having a meltdown or something.
I'm less likely to try to take control. I mean, that sounds bad, but like I'm in control. But I'm not trying to micromanage. How she's her reaction is to.
Govindh Jayaraman (27:38):
Nothing.
Jessica F. (27:39):
Because I know eventually she'll calm down, and we'll have that talk.
Govindh Jayaraman (27:44):
Yeah.
Jessica F. (27:45):
Actually, I got a great piece of advice from when I was training to be in the operating room, and someone
a surgical tech, he said to me.
in 3 h this will be over.
and it it sounds kind of like simple, but it's like this chaos that's going on.
We'll stop, it will stop, and
(28:08):
then there'll be a quiet period, or there'll be a time where it's over, you know, whatever. And then that's when
I would say, maybe more effective communication can happen.
Govindh Jayaraman (28:19):
That's really interesting.
because all things are going to be over. And that's also a reminder. Going back to the second thing you said around. You're reminded of all the things you didn't say. So this moment will be over.
Jessica F. (28:32):
Sure.
Govindh Jayaraman (28:32):
Make sure that you're in the moment, so it probably makes you more present in the moment. More often would that be fair to say.
Jessica F. (28:41):
Absolutely, and that's that is challenging.
But even with all the intentionality in the world, I mean, you still have to reflect and slow down and do these, you know.
self growth opportunities that you have, because we don't always want to do it, you know. But like.
Govindh Jayaraman (28:57):
Yeah.
Jessica F. (28:58):
But for me it's been more. It's been more of a requirement to be able to even sit here today and speak as long as I am. That's a result from the past.
Govindh Jayaraman (29:10):
Yeah.
Jessica F. (29:11):
So.
Govindh Jayaraman (29:12):
So. So how? How will you recharge after our time together?
Jessica F. (29:18):
I it's gonna be some quiet time.
you know. Probably some tea, I mean, I'm a huge coffee drinker. So I love iced coffee especially, but even that, you know, like I'm going to get in the car. You know, I could go to Starbucks. That's a quiet time.
And if the phone rings. Usually I'll let it go. And then I could or I could text another mode of communication. It's just being more aware of my needs. And coming from the medical field, too, like even as a nurse like we don't eat a lot of people in the field. They, you know, they're so focused. They don't do the basic care necessities. So that's helped me, too, to realize that as well that I need to schedule that in or just
(30:04):
intentionally. Take that time for me.
Govindh Jayaraman (30:07):
Yeah. And I think I think that, for if you're a leader listening to this.
you may not have a challenge with your voice, but we all have energy buckets, and as they become depleted we have to be mindful of oscillating our energy back and forth, and giving us that time, so that when we are meeting our challenge
(30:27):
we could do it with our highest and best self, and meet that challenge and make it our highest calling, as you've done.
At this point of the show we always shout out, our great friend, John Rulan. John Ruland, was a guest several years ago, actually, 11 years ago, so more than several years ago, and he was a great supporter of our community. He shared with us a napkin. What you appreciate appreciates. And it's a wonderful message that when you give gratitude and appreciation out to the world the people to whom you
(31:05):
you share that gratitude with also appreciate and value for themselves, for the community and for the relationship.
So we he suddenly passed, unfortunately, about coming up on 8 months ago, and we are asking all of our guests to shout out someone that they appreciate. Who would you like to shout out today?
Jessica F. (31:28):
I'll shout out my dad.
He also he actually passed away last month, and that's okay. He was a musician.
and he taught me from a very young age the importance of a quality microphone.
So I appreciate your mic. But I wanted to shout him out because he followed his dreams
(31:56):
he didn't let anything stop him. He left home at 17 to go on the road as a band member, and you know he didn't know what the next step was going to be. He just knew that with enough focus and dedication and drive, that something was going to happen.
And so I go by that same motto, you know, like I don't. I may not have everything
(32:17):
in front of me, but if you just go for what you want, listening to your heart and ensuring that you're not overworking, you can go far.
So I'm just shouting him out because he was. Had that warrior spirit.
Govindh Jayaraman (32:34):
Yeah, I can see that in you.
Jessica F. (32:36):
Thanks for joining me, Josh.
Thank you.
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